Registered conservation charity and national treasure, Chester Zoo, was recently awarded considerable funding to aid its efforts to support nature in Cheshire.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund bestowed £4,073,372 on the zoo to help its “Networks for Nature” project, an ambitious initiative to restore and develop wildlife habitats throughout the region.
Community Participation Manager for Chester Zoo, Hannah Brooks, commented on the recent grant:
“Now, we will be able to support people to make real change across a vast landscape. This could really transform things for the environment in Cheshire and for the people who live here.”
The money will be deployed to restore much-needed hedgerow of around 3,000 metres, over 100 hectares worth of habitat and 20 ponds. Furthermore, the generous grant will be employed to engage thousands of students in one-year school projects to enhance school lands for people and wildlife, and train almost 100 young people on a course in environmental leadership.
The funding has been made possible because of funds raised by players of the National Lottery, and will let the zoo work with 18 groups to develop outdoor areas for natural heritage, fund 14 new jobs, and continue its ongoing support to the Wildlife Champions network.
The Networks for Nature initiative is organised by the Chester Zoo, in partnership with several key organisations in the region. These include The Land Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Sustrans and the Canal and River Trust.
